I do not own Naruto Shippuden or any of the characters.
Reschedule
Naruto walked through the village, mind a million miles away. After leaving the hospital, his mother had informed him that despite the life support systems and Lady Tsunade's Medical Ninjutsu Minato was slowly dying. Then, Jiraiya had dropped a bomb shell almost as large and devastating that Naruto was going to be leaving Konoha for two years with Jiraiya to train. He had argued so eventually Tsunade had all but ordered him to go. Kushina wasn't pleased with it either but had given her consent, ensuring that nothing could keep Naruto from having to go.
Before he even knew what he wanted to do, he found himself standing just behind a line of trees looking in on the Third Training Ground. He was hidden from view so Hinata and her team couldn't see him as Kurenai trained them. He wasn't sure why he had come to the training ground. Probably to train himself to relieve some stress. But now that he was here, he found he couldn't make himself move either toward or away from the field. After watching the three genin train for a few minutes, Naruto finally managed to turn and walk away, instead heading into the village to get something to eat one last time at Ichiraku's. Once there, his appetite disappeared and he simply sat there with his head on the counter hoping the smell of cooking ramen would make him hungry like it always did. It didn't.
"You okay Naruto?" Teuchi questioned. "You haven't even ordered yet."
"Just not feeling hungry I guess," Naruto sighed.
"You sure that's all?" Teuchi questioned.
"Yeah," Naruto smiled. "I guess I'll see you around."
"Um...alright," Teuchi replied unsure why he didn't believe Naruto.
"Bye Ayame," Naruto said.
"See ya," Ayame replied just as confused as her father.
Naruto walked through the village toward his house but instead his feet carried him to the top of the Hokage Monument where he finally sat down, resting elbows on his bent knees and his forehead on his arms. He stayed like that for a long while until he heard someone walking up behind him.
"You're leaving right?" Shikamaru guessed. "And judging by your mood not by choice. I would have figured you'd be saying goodbye to everyone rather than moping."
"So would I," Naruto admitted. "I just can't get past the part about leaving for two years."
"It would be a drag," Shikamaru agreed. "You want me to say goodbye for you? It'll let you leave without a massive emotional scene."
"Sure," Naruto nodded smiling slightly. "Thanks."
"You're welcome," Shikamaru nodded. "What about Hinata and Sakura?"
"I'll tell them," Naruto sighed. "Hinata's training with her team and Sakura is probably sobbing about Sasuke being gone or being cheered up by Ino."
"When do you leave?" Shikamaru questioned.
"Not for another hour or so," Naruto sighed. "I'm supposed to meet Jiraiya at the gate."
"I see," Shikamaru nodded. "And you're just going to sit here until then?"
"Probably," Naruto nodded.
"Go say goodbye to Sakura," Shikamaru sighed. "I'll tell the others after you've left."
"Where is she?" Naruto questioned.
"Probably at home," Shikamaru stated.
Naruto sighed and stood, heading to Sakura's house and knocked on the door. Sakura opened it and smiled wiping her eyes and stepping aside. He walked through the door and she closed it then lead him through the house to the living room and sat on the couch. Naruto sat in a chair across from her and stared at the floor.
"Are you okay?" Sakura questioned.
"I should be asking you that," Naruto smirked. "How are you holding up?"
"I'm okay," Sakura smiled. "Relatively, at least. What about you?"
"I've been better," Naruto sighed. "Did you hear about my dad?"
"I did," Sakura nodded.
"Well, in addition to that, I now have to leave on a two year training trip," Naruto sighed. "I just came by to say goodbye."
"You're...leaving?" Sakura questioned. "But...we have to find Sasuke!"
"I know," Naruto sighed. "I don't know of any way to do that. Besides, I'm not sure it's a good idea."
"What?" Sakura questioned. "Why?"
"Well," Naruto sighed before continuing. "He left in order to get strong enough to kill Danzo. I don't blame him. I want Danzo dead too. He killed a friend of mine. But...Sasuke...only Orochimaru can teach him what he needs to know."
"You...think we should let him train under Orochimaru?" Sakura questioned.
"Yes," Naruto finally sighed. "I think we should let Orochimaru train him. At least for now. And while I'm gone training under Jiraiya, you should find someone to train you too. Try Tsunade. Our team could use a Medical Ninja."
Sakura nodded then stood.
"I understand why you feel the way you do," Sakura stated. "But I won't give up on bringing Sasuke home. Even if you won't try, I will."
And with that, she left. Naruto sighed and stood, leaving and closing the door behind him. He headed toward the Third Training Ground but was stopped by Shino.
"I have an idea to find Sasuke," Shino stated.
"What?" Naruto questioned.
"There's a kind of insect, the Bikochu, that can track anything across an ocean by smell," Shino stated. "However, they must smell their target, or something that belonged to them the moment they hatch. They should be hatching soon. Tsunade has already given us permission to go if we can get your help."
Naruto thought for a moment. He and Kushina had explained Naruto and Sasuke's plan to Jiraiya and Tsunade. It was part of the reason for Jiraiya taking Naruto to train him. If Tsunade cleared the mission, either she wanted him to choose or for him to screw up the mission.
"Who's going?" Naruto questioned.
"Me, Kiba and Akamaru, and Hinata," Shino listed. "And you, possibly."
"Fine," Naruto nodded. "I just need to go see someone first. Gather the others and meet me by the gate."
Shino nodded and left and Naruto sprinted to the gate and found Jiraiya waiting.
"You're early," Jiraiya stated.
"Change of plans," Naruto stated. "I'm joining Kiba, Shino, and Hinata on a mission to find a bikochu to track Sasuke with."
"Why?" Jiraiya questioned.
"Because," Naruto grinned. "You're going to go get something of Danzo's."
"Are you insane?" Jiraiya questioned. "You've already fought Danzo once. Why would you want to track him down now? You LOST!"
"Because I need to know where he is for when me and Sasuke go after him," Naruto stated. "We're taking the bikochu with us along with the sample of his scent."
"Alright," Jiraiya sighed. "I'll help but on one condition. You have to come with me with no complaints."
"Fine," Naruto nodded.
Jiraiya nodded as well and left to get the sample just as the others arrived.
"Ready?" Kiba asked holding up a box with Sasuke's headband in it.
"Jiraiya went to get a better sample," Naruto stated. "He should be back in a moment."
"What would be better than the sample that just barely left his head?" Akamaru questioned.
"A sample that has a jutsu protecting its scent," Jiraiya stated appearing beside Naruto and holding out a piece of black fabric.
Kiba took it and sniffed it then looked at Naruto suspiciously.
"This isn't Sasuke's," Kiba stated.
"I know," Naruto stated. "It's one of Orochimaru's top agents."
"Why him?" Kiba questioned.
"He knows everything about Orochimaru," Naruto stated. "Now switch the samples."
"No," Kiba growled. "I don't trust you."
"Just do it Kiba," Hinata commanded.
Kiba looked at her in surprise, as did the others, before sighing and switching the samples. Then, he handed it to Shino and glared at Naruto.
"What's your problem?" Naruto questioned.
"Nothing," Kiba muttered.
Naruto rolled his eyes and looked around before nodding to Shino to lead. Shino nodded back then turned and sprinted out of the village with the others just behind him.
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